Results 1-20 of 3,635 for speaker:Michael Collins

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: We are here today to discuss the final draft of the revised national planning framework, a crucial step towards Ireland's sustainable future. It is imperative that we address the acute infrastructure challenges in the areas of housing and transport. West Cork suffers from inadequate sewerage systems, particularly in areas like Dunmanway, Goleen, Shannonvale, Rosscarbery and Ballydehob....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Yes. I wrote to the Central Bank two weeks ago and I have heard nothing back since. There are legal cases being taken at the moment. The fraud squad is also involved. When I raised this question in the Dáil the last time, the fraud squad contacted people immediately afterwards. I sent the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance two sample cases this morning. I respect that the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: A few weeks ago, I raised with the Taoiseach some scandalous transactions by a number of financial advisers that have led to genuine investors getting stung for millions. Since raising this issue, I have been contacted by numerous people who have had their honest savings robbed. The last time I spoke on this, I knew of around ten people who were affected. Now, I have at least 60 people who...

Special Education: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: This motion highlights real failures in special education, and Independent Ireland says it is long overdue. We agree that too many children have been left without places. That is not just a statistic; it is heartbreak in every community. We have said loudly before that a national plan for special education is needed rather than sticking plasters. We support Labour's call for a centralised...

Children's Health Ireland: Statements (29 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: A wrong that has been done to a child is a wrong we should all be ashamed of. Today, we gather in the shadow of not one scandal but a series of failures that stretch across the institution entrusted with the care of our youngest and most vulnerable children's health. First, there was the horror of the Temple Street spinal surgery scandal, where children already burdened with illness were...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Another carbon tax increase will hit people hard in the pocket tomorrow morning. Last October, carbon tax increases hit motorists in the pocket as petrol and diesel increased from €56 per tonne to €63.50 per tonne. Tomorrow's increase will hit people using gas, home heating oil, coal and briquettes. Household gas bills will rise by €17. The cost of home heating oil...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I have been asking for the last number of weeks at Business Committee meetings for a debate on a farming issue. There are 9,000 farmers without ACRES payments - 2023 payments and 2024 payments. These farmers need to pay their bills urgently. Tomorrow morning, with a carbon tax up on people's backs again, it is becoming impossible to live. We need a debate here to see where these payments...

Uisce Éireann: Statements (10 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak on this debate today. I sit on the Business Committee, and I have been seeking this debate for five weeks. It has taken a hell of a long time to get here. I mean absolutely no disrespect to the Minister of State, but the senior Minister should be here. The huge issue of wastewater and Uisce Éireann - whatever aspect of it we want to talk...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Following on from my question two weeks ago in the Dáil about Ireland retaining our fishing rights off Rockall, in recent years the population of bluefin tuna has significantly increased. Denmark and Norway have successfully applied to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, ICCAT, and received quotas, while the Japanese fleet is fishing along the 200-mile...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (9 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: 40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an exception to the price increase by the NTA will be made for rural taxis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17733/25]

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I am totally opposed to water charges. I was one of the people who protested very strongly against water charges at the time. The problem we have is that very little is recognised in this House regarding people who do pay for water. In agriculture, the farmers pay for water. I paid for three connections. My son is paying for it now because he is running the farm. It is a huge burden to...

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: As this is my first time addressing the Minister of State, I welcome her to her position and look forward to working with her in the time ahead. The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 aims to help employees who are forced to retire before the State pension age of 66. It allows employees to choose not to retire at the contractual age if it is below 66 unless the employer has...

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I am talking about this gentleman who is beyond the retirement age.

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Will the Ceann Comhairle let me talk and let me finish my bit of time?

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: It is very relevant. In fairness to a person who has the pension and is trying to enjoy life at 75 years of age, that is unfair. That needs to be looked at as part of this Bill going forward. We certainly should look at that. We should look at Bus Éireann as well. Up until 2008 CIÉ pensioners were awarded increases to their pensions in line with pay increases to active staff.

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: No increase in pensions has been approved by the CIÉ board since 2008. The whole point I am trying to make is that this could also be brought in under this Bill. These are people who have not had a pension increase. They are in the Ceann Comhairle's constituency and in my constituency. Since 2008, for 16 years, despite repeated requests and representations the majority of CIÉ...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Cancer Connect, the hugely successful cancer transport service, is available throughout County Cork and is delivered on the ground by a team of 430 volunteer drivers of several vehicles. The years 2023 and 2024 alone saw between 6,000 and 7,000 passenger journeys recorded. The impact this transport has on the lives of those on a cancer journey and the extended community is extensive....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Last week, a staggering 9,300 farmers were waiting since early 2024 on delayed ACRES payments. Some 2,302 of these farmers are waiting for their 2023 payment. We also have a tariff crisis facing Irish agriculture. Farmers also want to discuss – I met the IFA on this – Ireland’s derogation scheme. It is now about pointing the direction for Ireland and we need to have a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: This scheme by the financial adviser seems similar to the Dolphin Trust, now known as German Property Group, which promised high interest payments on original investors' capital before collapsing, owing £1 billion and catching 1,800 Irish investors for €100 million. I raised this issue briefly last week in the Dáil and received an email last night from another investor who...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: The role played by some financial advisers in this State needs to be investigated immediately. The issue of financial advisers taking people's money for investments and the client getting no return for that same investment is both a local and national one. The issue has been aired on RTÉ on more than one occasion, most recently in March on RTÉ's "The Complaints Bureau", which...